Elite Precast Concrete is one of the leading manufacturers of low-cost precast concrete products in the UK
The business combines the highest levels of customer service with the aim of always being the best value option.
Elite’s focus is on driving down the cost base and then passing these savings onto its customers. This enables it to provide a constant and predictable price structure which in turn underpins an ethos of developing customer relationships over the long term. Indeed, over 65 per cent of its clients have done business with Elite on at least two previous occasions.
Clients range from small start-ups and private individuals to international blue-chip businesses. Each one is cherished and each receives the highest possible level of personal and professional service.
Product range
Elite has a huge range of ‘semi-dry’ and ‘wet-cast’ products which it supplies to every sector of UK industry imaginable. These include service protection and drainage products through kentledge ballast blocks, safety and security barriers to the premier range of interlocking wall blocks.
Elite is the UK’s leading manufacturer of the revolutionary interlocking block systems which are used by thousands of businesses in a huge variety of industrial applications.
There are three types of free-standing interlocking ‘Lego’ blocks – Legato™, Duo™, and Vee™. Each one is cast from premium quality, high strength (50N/mm2) concrete and incorporates its own integral lifting system. This means that whichever block type you choose you can be certain of getting the ultimate in both durability and flexibility.
The blocks are used in many varied and extremely demanding industries from metal and tyre recycling to radiation shielding (industrial/nuclear and health). Their applications also include being used as bay walls and bunkers, push walls, salt storage, firebreaks, silage clamps, radiation shielding, kentledge/counterweight blocks, embankment retention, site security, workforce protection, ground safety, and much more.
The blocks are cast from high-quality concrete, that doesn’t contain any steel reinforcing or recycled aggregates, which means they are Class A1 Fire Resistant. The blocks are recommended by many insurance companies and are approved for use as firebreaks.
The interlocking Temporary Vertical and Jersey barriers are designed specifically to secure a site against unwanted visitors, for use as traffic management, as edge protection and to prevent falling debris from damaging railway tracks, car parks, etc.
Win-win for Network Rail
An example of the innovative usage of the Lego blocks was in a project for Network Rail. Signalling renewals in the Cardiff area were problematic because of a lack of access where the installation of two new sets of points to form a crossover on the main lines had been planned.
A four-track stretch of railway was involved but in order to utilise the large crane to install the points and new track panels, an all-line block was required. Carrying out the work with lines open would involve the crane unloading, moving and slewing panels that had a much higher potential to foul the relief lines.
Additionally, operatives would need something to help keep them safe as though they were working in a full possession. Getting an all-line possession at that time wasn’t feasible because of the number of trains that were required to run, so to meet the timescales, an alternative was needed.
By thinking outside the box, the project team came up with the idea of a ‘real virtual wall, ‘from a throwaway comment about a child’s Lego blocks. The first section was delivered, installed at the depot and tested, passing with flying colours. After that it was ‘all systems go’ and the wall was assembled in the ten-foot width over the half mile stretch of track to be replaced.
This solution saved an all-line possession for 72 hours; it cut customer disruption and cut congestion in Newport and Cardiff stations. So, it was a win-win for not only the project, but the route, the Tocs and Focs, and the travelling public. Additionally, the blocks could be disassembled and used elsewhere for future works to again create a safe environment.
Elite was very proud to have helped to ensure both the safety of the workforce and the completion of the works ahead of schedule. The high strength ‘Lego’ blocks have an almost endless range of uses and the vision of the Network Rail engineers in choosing the product means that Elite is able to add yet another to the list.
Design and manufacture
All of Elite’s products are made to the highest standards at two extensive modern manufacturing plants in Telford, Shropshire which cover 50,000 square feet of production area and two and a half acres of stocking space.
Rigorously applied procedures and the latest production techniques ensure consistency and efficiency, enabling the company to provide high quality products at the most economic prices. All raw materials are fully traceable and that the concrete is monitored for all dimensional accuracy, density, compressive strength on a regular basis.
Technical team
An inhouse support team is always on hand to offer advice, provide estimates and help with project planning. Elite prides itself on its strong reputation for excellent customer service coupled with a flexibility and desire to find solutions to the most challenging of customer requests.
Its customer service and technical departments are renowned for their ability to modify and adapt existing ‘off the shelf’ products to suit the most specific and exacting of requirements. This approach provides the customer not only with a considerable cost-saving, from that of a totally bespoke product, but also a production and turn-around time that can be greatly reduced.
Testing for quality
The quality and consistency of Elite’s products is something it takes very seriously operating within an approved BS EN 1917 quality system with a number of products carrying a BSI Kitemark.
The company is one of the few manufacturers of precast concrete products in the country that can boast of having its own, purpose-built, testing facility. Elite regularly performs a number of tests on both finished products and the materials used to manufacture these products.
Turnkey installations
In addition to the simple wholesale supply business, over the last 10 years Elite Precast Concrete has also developed trading partnerships with a number of strategically placed and highly skilled contractors who can in turn offer anything from a simple off-load and install service (under a client’s supervision) to a full turnkey installation.
Service and delivery
Elite can, in most cases, offer delivery times of between 24 and 48 hours from receipt of any order throughout the UK. Anything can be delivered, from one block to many thousands on a variety of different vehicles including flatbed artics and crane offload. FORS Bronze, Silver and Gold along with Tideway, CLOCS and Crossrail compliant vehicles are available. Elite also offers a full install service.
Environment
Because the blocks are made from one hundred per cent natural materials sourced from local quarries, they are also one hundred per cent recyclable at their end of their life. Combined with the 120-year design life, they provide the most environmentally sustainable solution currently available.
Elite’s production processes benefit from the most modern and efficient low energy equipment and it embraces best practice in all aspects including rainwater harvesting.
Tel: 01952 588885
Email: sales@eliteprecast.co.uk
Visit: www.eliteprecast.co.uk